ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., -- Lt. Col. Patrick M. Stevens V assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District, July 9, 2020, during a formal change of command ceremony at the District headquarters.
Stevens replaces Lt. Col. Larry D. Caswell, Jr., who led the Albuquerque District beginning in May 2018. During his tenure, Caswell led the Albuquerque District in the execution of a civil works and military program worth nearly $1.4 billion.
“Lt. Col. Caswell has been a tireless, dedicated and exemplary leader during his two years as commander of the Albuquerque District,” said Brig. Gen. Kimberly Colloton, commander, South Pacific Division, USACE, who presided over the ceremony.
“You have left a legacy of so much more than just a picture on this wall of history that dates back to the district’s beginnings during the Great Depression … Your personal attention and engagement have been crucial to the execution of the district’s program. The relationships you’ve built and fostered are as much a success story as the projects you’ve overseen – and that’s saying a lot.”
“The true privilege of joining the wall is that I can say I was part of this team that ‘engineers solutions to the Nation’s toughest challenges’ and made these solutions reality. Thank you Albuquerque Team for embracing and educating me and allowing me to lead,” said Caswell.
The purpose of a change of command ceremony is to emphasize the continuity of leadership and unit identity, despite the change in individual authority. The Albuquerque District’s area of responsibility includes the entire state of New Mexico, as well as portions of southern Colorado and far west Texas. The district performs design, construction and operations and maintenance services for three Air Force bases; conducts a robust civil works program; and operates and maintains nine dams.
Stevens was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering upon graduation from Florida Institute of Technology. He later earned a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology and is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Prior to assuming command of the Albuquerque District, Stevens was assigned to the U.S. Military Observer Group as the Chief of Support Operations, responsible for support to all U.S. Service members assigned to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
“I can’t tell you all how excited I am to join the Albuquerque District and take on the unknown challenges we will face in the future. I know it will be a challenging and rewarding experience. My promise to you is that I will selflessly serve this district with the integrity and professionalism expected of us and do my best to lead it into the future,” said Stevens.